It may also be warm and sunny weather-wise for the Downtown Mt. Pleasant Sidewalk Sales and Art Reach Chair Affair, but meteorological patterns really won’t matter much to folks who’ll be dancing in the streets when The Saucecats bring their signature spicy style to the fourth installment of Max and Emily’s Summer Concert Series this evening, July 25.

You can expect to hear a little bit of everything, from New Orleans funk and Zydeco, to Blues and Caribbean. The Saucecats play it all, and one get-up-and-move number is an absolute given in the diverse set list.

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“We’ve got to play “Hot, Hot, Hot” and get the conga line going for Elmo,” Saucecats’ front man, Perry English, says with a laugh about the perennial request from Max and Emily’s general manager who’s coordinated the concert series since its inception in 2008. “There’s a little surprise we have planned for him, too – we’re going to have some fun with him on stage.”

No doubt, Chris “Elmo” Walton, will be up for whatever English and The Saucecats have planned as part of the free, family-friendly show. The concert begins at 7 p.m. on Broadway Street, outside the popular downtown eatery. Admission is free.

“He’s just a great guy, and we always enjoy coming here to play,” English says about the band’s third visit to the summer series. “Elmo and Tim Brockman (Max and Emily’s owner) and the other business sponsors and the city deserve a lot of credit for getting this concert series started, and keeping it free for everyone to enjoy is a real community service.”

Lawn chairs sprout up along Broadway, which is closed off to traffic from University to Main, and picnic tables provide additional seating for people who want to enjoy tasty treats from local businesses during the concert.

It’s a perfect setting for a large group like The Saucecats, which English describes as “an eight-piece show band on stage at the same time – and Jeff Hart, our sound man, who we couldn’t do this without.”

English is the only original Saucecat remaining from the band that formed in 2001. The Mt. Pleasant area resident is joined by Hart and two other longtime members, Kelly Hengy (trombone and guitar) and Mike Odette (lead vocalist and rhythm guitar), plus a crew of talented musicians who are relatively new to the band: Mike Clark, a master on the Hammond B-3 organ; drummer and vocalist Dan Mata; Bruce Lawton, vocalist who plays the accordion and guitar; Jim McKinsey, electric and stand-up bass and vocalist; and Steve Helfrich, trumpet and percussion.

The addition of new players in recent years hasn’t changed The Saucecats’ musical style – but it has taken the band’s already varied instrumentation to a whole new level.

“We’ve got a really nice, big full sound that takes advantage of elements like the B-3 and accommodates the talents of all the musicians,” English says, noting that the Max and Emily’s audience can expect to hear some new songs along with longtime Saucecat favorites. “We’ve been working on a lot of new material, and hopefully will get into the studio later this year to do some writing and recording.”

It’s their musical finesse and ability to create unique sounds with varied instruments that’s helped the Saucecats generate a large fan base, while also allowing them to perform with some well-known artists. The band has appeared with entertainers like Tommy Castro, Carl Weathersby, Larry McCray, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Dr. John and Dicky Betts.

The group’s eclectic style is evident on a pair of CDs, “Some Like it Hot,” which was released in 2004, and the 2006 release aptly titled, “Havin’ Fun.”

Tonight’s guests can expect to hear some “old” favorites from both recordings – possibly “A Night Like This” and “So Hard To Stop,” featuring dance moves and antics by the band that are designed to promote audience participation.

Local upcoming shows for The Saucecats include a July 31 gig at Andersen Gardens in Saginaw, Kearsley Park in Flint on Aug. 1, Gladwin’s Music in the Park on Aug. 20, and an annual appearance at Ranch Rudolf near Traverse City on Sept. 21 for “Trailing for Triumph,” a fundraiser that benefits breast cancer research.

You can keep track of The Saucecats on Facebook, or via their web site, http://saucecats.com

In addition to The Saucecats’ hot sounds at tonight’s concert, area residents can take advantage of sizzling specials all weekend long during the Downtown Mt. Pleasant Sidewalk Sales, July 25 to 27. Bargains and buys both outside and inside the downtown businesses will lure shoppers who can take advantage of dining specials at restaurants and bistros.

Walking through the downtown district is also a perfect time to view entries in this year’s Chair Affair, sponsored by Art Reach of Mid Michigan. Adirondack chairs, benches and side tables have been transformed into works of art and are situated at sites around downtown. Maps detailing locations of the arty chairs and tables are available at the Art Reach Gallery on Broadway.

You can bid on the unique outdoor furniture via the Silent Auction at the Gallery, and cast your votes for the 2013 Chair Affair Peoples Choice Awards; both bidding and voting closes at 3 p.m., Saturday, July 27, at the Art Reach Gallery.

Artists and student artists also have an opportunity to participate in a competitive aspect of Chair Affair. Prizes for first, second and third place for in both the artists category and art educator/student category will be awarded at 1 p.m. Friday. Prizes that the students win will be used to purchase art supplies for their schools.